Ibaka hopes to return, waiting on clearance

Summary of 27 articles · Updated May 29, 2014

Ibaka said Saturday that he would be willing to play through pain as long as he got clearance from the team's medical staff. So it is my decision,” Ibaka said. "I'm trying to put my mind ready and if I'm going to feel better later, I'm going to go," Ibaka… (more) said. “I’m trying to put my mind ready and if I’m going to feel better later, I’m going to go,” said Ibaka, who has a left calf strain. On Friday, Thunder general manager Sam Presti said Ibaka could not be ruled out for Game 3 on Sunday, though he stressed that the power forward needed to first go through a practice and contact drills. If a player has a sudden surge in performance or makes a surprisingly quick recovery from injury, people question whether illegal drugs were involved. In Ibaka’s case, Mark Olsen a medical chemist who designs drugs for a living and teaches at a college of pharmacy addressed his skepticism in a lengthy post at SB Nation’s Pounding The Rock. In a single night, the 6-foot-10 power forward fixed Oklahoma City's offense, transformed its team defense, garnered newfound respect from longtime teammates, and breathed new life into a Western Conference finals that seemed on the verge of a possible sweep. His presence on the court cheered raucously throughout was the major driver behind the Thunder's 106-97 victory over the Spurs in Game 3, a contest that saw the series' vanquished become the vanquisher.

A Closer Examination Of Serge Ibaka’s Miraculously Rapid Recovery

Before the start of the Western Conference Finals, Serge Ibaka was declared out for the playoffs with a Grade 2 calf train. But after the swelling subsided, Ibaka was cleared for practice after Game 2 and made his return on Sunday, surprising everyone i…

NBA Playoffs: Spurs suddenly looking very old against Thunder now that Serge Ibaka is back

Welcome back to 2012, Gregg Popovich. You too, Tim Duncan. And you also, Tony Parker. But this isn’t 2012, as much as everyone now is remembering how the Spurs took a 2-0 lead in the West Finals two springs ago, only to lose four straight to the Oklahom…

By all sensible criteria, the San Antonio Spurs had a terrible time in Game 4 of the Western Conference finals against the host Oklahoma City Thunder. Their 105-92 loss has turned a 2-0 series advantage into a 2-2 tie with momentum looking to belong to …

Ten Before Tip: NBA news from Tuesday

The 10-man rotation, starring why Serge Ibaka matters

A look around the league and the Web that covers it. It's also important to note that the rotation order and starting nods aren't always listed in order of importance. That's for you, dear reader, to figure out. C: GQ. Bethlehem Shoals on how, in a sens…

Spurs-Thunder Game 4: Three big questions

After two blowout losses that made them look like overmatched also-rans that would barely break the San Antonio Spurs' stride on the way to a second straight NBA finals berth, the Oklahoma City Thunder got back into the Western Conference finals in a bi…

Ibaka's return changes equation in West finals

GIF: Serge Ibaka Can’t Stop This Kawhi Leonard Jam

Serge Ibaka was the difference in Game 3, as the Thunder ran away with a 106-97 victory to thwart San Antonio’s attempt to push their series lead to an insurmountable 3-0 deficit. Still, even with a resurrected Ibaka protecting the rim, Kawhi Leonard pa…

A week and a half ago, Serge Ibaka was expected to miss the remainder of the postseason with a left calf strain. On Sunday, following what seems to have been a miraculous recovery, the power forward not only started for the Oklahoma City Thunder, but he…

Ibaka returns, sparks OKC to win vs. Spurs

Serge Ibaka scored 15 points in a dramatic return from what was thought to be a season-ending left calf strain to help the Oklahoma City Thunder beat the San Antonio Spurs 106-97 on Sunday night in Game 3 of the Western Conference finals.

Barring Setback, Ibaka “Going To Go” In Game 3

The San Antonio Spurs were prepared for this possibility, talking openly of preparing for a Thunder team with Serge Ibaka patrolling the paint. After straining his calf in Game 6 of the Western Semifinals, it was believed Ibaka would be lost for the rem…